Over 4 years ago Tamashii Nations graced us with a pair of inaugural releases that launched the Metal Heroes sub-line for S.H. Figuarts. Back then we were treated to Gavan & his successor Gavan Type G. Now, during the new golden age of Metal Heroes it seems, Bandai is treating us to a pair of Renewals, one for each of these heroes! So today we're taking a look at the first of those released with S.H. Figuarts Space Sheriff Gavan Type G Space Squad Version!

** Physically this toy is very very similar to the original releases of Space Sheriff Gavan & Gavan Type G, though it's ostensibly meant to be a renewal of that mold. There are physical differences but the accessories and better paint apps are the most appreciable things you'll notice with this release. Just fair warning. Also, this gallery consists of 100+ images spread across the first 3 posts. So be sure to check out the whole thing!

Packaging
I actually really dig the new box that Bandai's come up with for Gavan Type G this time around. The first two Gavan releases both came in boxes that were themed around the original TV series aesthetic and each was partially color swapped to differentiate them from each other. This time it gets a bit more of a space theme going on thanks to the movie this release promotes. I just generally like it better to be honest.

Main Figure
So like I said up above, this mold is VERY similar to the original mold used for Gavan & Type G. In fact this one is simply a bit more thick and wide than that one. You'll notice wider hips, a more thick abdomen, a chest plate that sticks out a bit further, and just generally more clearance for these joints than the original had. But that's about it, ultimately these changes don't amount to a ton of appreciable improvements. So be forewarned this review will have many similarities to my old original Gavan gallery.

Note that in comparison shots, the Space Squad version will be on the left with the original Type G on the right. Now with the statements I made above out of the way, I want to start by saying that this mold really is a great improvement over the original. It's not immediately something you notice, but more something that comes to mind as you handle it further. Starting at the bottom, the feet don't get a lot more clearance, so there isn't much to talk about there. The knees have the same old bends, but the hips are vastly improved. Not only are they stronger, no more sagging joints, but they have much more clearance for rotating than the old one. And that brings us up to the waist, where with the old one it was very gaunt and narrow, looking very awkward from the sides. This version beefs things up nicely enough to make it look like a real person is conceivably in there. And there isn't a ton of articulation lost either.

By far the greatest improvement of the new Type G is the chest and head details. They are far more bright and elaborate, matching his appearance in Space Squad and in fact his first appearance in Gavan The Movie. I had never realized until now just how inaccurate the chest detailing on the first Type G was. Also you can see Gavan's "eyes" beneath the standard black visor quite a bit better. They should always be at least partially visible like this. Even when you aren't using the included laser scope head. So this release gets top marks for this as well. The head itself is a hair larger and more proportional to the body than the first release as well. Just adding to the overall improved look of this release over the original. I'll also mention that the arms aren't terribly different from the first one, though the shoulders seem to have much better clearance than before. But the hands, my god the best improvement is right there. You can actually change out the hands without fear of shearing off a razor thin wrist peg in the process, which happened with the first original Type G I owned and was very common throughout that production run.

Ultimately this figure may not appear physically to be all that different. But in reality the small changes and differences made to it from the first release really are appreciable. I have to say I'm still fairly unsatisfied with the chrome applications this go around. While not inaccurate, the imperfections, scratches, and smudging to the chrome make it look like a used product. But all of these imperfections were present straight out of the box well. I wish Bandai would go with a more flat gray metallic paint app, like those on Juspion. But the reflective chrome is more accurate I suppose. A better application process needs to be used is all.

Accessories
This section is where the biggest differences between the the original release and the Space Squad one exist:

1 - Laser Scope head. This alternate head replicates Type G's visor lighting up as it does periodically. Originally an ability meant to allow classic Gavan to detect invisible monsters, it's since become synonymous with moments of either character powering up, or having showy flashy action. It's my preferred way to display this figure actually. I like how the eyes really pop.

3 - sets of additional hands. One set for weapon holding, one set of open palms, then a split pair that includes a flat karate chop style hand, and one with a set of two fingers pointing forward to recreate the Lazer Z Beam attack, or to hold the end of the Laser Blade.

1 - Laser Blade (Origin Version). A blade forged on Juspion's homeworld, one who can wield it properly is assured victory. This is the one weapon which sets apart this version from the original Type G release. That release came packed with the same classic Laser Blade that classic Gavan did. Both of the Gavan figuarts were packed with it. This new Origin version is a bit more ornate and elaborate in design. It's also the version of the Laser Blade that Geki/Type G is seen using in the Space Squad film after Mad Gallant destroys the original. So while the actual figuart itself may be similar physically to the 1st release of Gavan Type G, the Laser Blade Origin is what literally makes this figure the Space Squad Version.

1 - Laser Blade Origin (Charge Up). As with the original two Gavan releases, this figure also includes a "charged" version of the blade to recreate a Gavan Dynamic or the Juspion backed Gavan Galactic Dynamic.

1 - Laser Blade Origin (Slashing). Just as with the original two Gavan Figuarts releases this is the same weapon with a new sweeping slash effect added for action shots. In fact it is the identical sweeping effect just attached to the new Origin Version hilt.

That's actually a pretty great breakdown, but there are two things that I think would have really set this release apart. First, a broken Laser Blade. The notion that one is a representation of the Space Sheriff's soul really puts more importance on the weapons' existence than ever. Geki's being shattered by Mad Gallant was a pivotal moment, so I think it would have been great to include here. And second, give us Shelly in her bird form. It would be a super easy to scale accessory. It's much less important than the Laser Blade, but I'd really like it none the less. Shelly (probably) won't ever get a figure of her human form, so at least give us the bird.

Final Thoughts
Overall, physical similarities and chrome imperfections aside, there's no denying that S.H. Figuarts Space Sheriff Gavan Type G is greatly improved this time around. Space Squad was a great film and I'm really happy to see the films' success push this release out the door. I really hope that this release will give way to at least a Space Squad release of Deka Red in his Fire Squad suit. A long time ago we got teased with the SWAT Dekarangers and they sadly never came out. Maybe the popularity of Dekaranger since it's 10YA film and now this, along with the success of the Space Squad Gavan release, could FINALLY give way to Fire Squad Red coming out. Which would in turn put the molding in place to finally release the rest of the team in SWAT. It's a pipe dream I know, but one that needs to happen.